Newton, who faces similar charges in Louisiana, pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. He could have faced up to 20 years and a $1 million fine.

The 40-year-old Newton has served more than eight months in a detention center in the Dallas suburb of Seagoville since his Dec. 12 arrest. He was released Wednesday but must report to prison Oct. 8.

Authorities arrested Newton after they found $10,000 in his red pickup as well as 175 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of an accompanying Monte Carlo driven by Charles Deaundra Howard.

Howard and another suspect, Billy Crenshaw, have pleaded guilty.

The marijuana was worth an estimated $700,000.

At time of his arrest, Newton was free on bail from a Louisiana drug arrest in November. In that case, he was accused of driving a van loaded with 213 pounds of marijuana.

Newton's attorneys said the Louisiana case is pending.

Newton also was sentenced Wednesday to three years of supervised release. He must pay a $25,000 fine, serve 250 hours of community service and undergo mandatory drug testing when his sentence is over.

Former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders was a character witness during the sentencing.

Newton, who lives in East Ellijay, Ga., is a six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman who helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. He spent 14 seasons in the NFL, 13 with Dallas.